Auburn Tigers Deal with Injury Setback Ahead of Ball State Game
The Auburn Tigers are preparing to face the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, but they’ll do so without their starting running back, Damari Alston. 
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze confirmed on Thursday that Alston, who injured his shoulder during the game against Baylor, will be sidelined for the matchup with Ball State.
Alston, a senior, had a solid performance against Baylor, rushing for 84 yards and a key touchdown, which helped him rank as the eighth-best rusher in the SEC. His quarterback, Jackson Arnold, currently leads the team with 137 rushing yards.
While Alston spent much of his career behind standout Jarquez Hunter on the depth chart, he still managed to post strong numbers, amassing 765 rushing yards and six touchdowns over his Auburn career. The 5-foot-9, 214-pound running back is approaching the 1,000-yard mark. Alston was a highly regarded recruit, ranked as the third-best running back in his class, and holds rushing records at Woodward Academy with 4,195 career yards and 62 touchdowns.
Fortunately for Auburn, the team has plenty of depth at running back, with a strong “next man up” mentality. Jeremiah Cobb, who rushed 16 times for 74 yards and a touchdown against Baylor, is one of the players stepping up in Alston’s absence. UConn transfer Durrell Robinson also saw action last week, and his role is expected to expand on Saturday. Freshman Omar Mabson II, who impressed during fall camp, could also see more playing time, though he didn’t take the field against Baylor.
Auburn enters the game as a heavy 43.5-point favorite over Ball State, which means there’s little urgency to rush Alston back from his injury. The Tigers’ fanbase is hopeful for a comfortable win, allowing Freeze to give younger players like Mabson and five-star freshman quarterback Deuce Knight more opportunities.
While Freeze’s exact plans for his personnel remain unclear, one thing is certain: the Tigers will be without Alston for Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CST and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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